Maribor away. Must win. You would hardly have expected this game to be so important before our Europa League campaign kicked off. Something has been lost in translation. Last season this competition was practically dismissed and treated with little respect. This season, all the right words have been spouted in the lead up to it and the games played but the performances have been lacking the will and desire (aside from perhaps the Lazio match). Can't blame selection, the sides have always been strong if not quite full strength. Have these European fixtures simply fallen victim to our early season learning curve? We'll find out this evening thanks to the fact that even though it's a group match, it should really play out as a knock out cup game.

Our hosts are up for it. They want everyone to know who they are. Whether they have the quality to upset us is something that will be answered in a few short hours. Their ultras will bring intensity to the atmosphere, we'll have to match it on the field. It's that simple. Turn up, turn on, turn them over.

Villas-Boas seems to be aware of the games importance. We've got no Dembele, Bale or Adebayor. Livermore, Huddlestone and Sigurdsson to (possibly) all feature with Falque, Townsend and Dempsey as other potential selections. Dawson in at the back paired up with Vertonghen and possibly the return of Naughton? Not my problem who plays, just want to see commitment and professionalism.

And I want to be entertained. And win by two clear goals. Bully the opposition. Out class them.

Reader Comments (8)

Its an interesting one, I think they will be well up for it, they were unlucky against Lazio and got the job we couldn't do against Panathanikos done. I would like to see vertonghen get a rest for naughton maybe Sandro too, I think Walker should play and with broad shoulders. I feel we've had a little look at Clint in the hole and I'd like to play siggy there with Townsend to give us some natural width on the left (or Falque) and maybe bring on deuce later even in a 4-4-2. What I really wanted though was an Ade start but my team would be: llorisWalker-Dawson-Caulker-NaughtonLivermore-Parrett/Huddlestone Lennon-Siggurdsson-TownsendDefoe

BBC 1825: "Spurs have had a shot. Repeat, Spurs shoot on goal.It's terrible though from Kyle Walker. High, wide and not very handsome. We are 25 minutes into this game, and it is getting worse. Someone desperately needs to take control of this."

Who are Maribor? Where are they? What have they achieved? Spurs have gone from playing Madrid and the Milans 2 seasons ago, to this and I am usually an optimist. This should have been a stroll- 4 nil to us at least-where is the hunger? We are apparently taking this competition seriously, but for all that, it looks like we are not going to progress any further. Baffling.

Biggest shit I've seen in ages. Slow, can't control the ball, Huddelstone crap, when have we scored from 35 yards, shit, shit, shit. AVB put more effort from the sideline than all spurs players put together. They need one massive f@@@@@ kick up there back side. The think beating man u is the season, that's it, can't be asked anymore. Defoe is crap, always will be in my eyes, hate him, always will. He is too selfish and he will never change, ever!!